Chapter 2

I think I really did get wasted last night. I don’t recall much of what happened but I remember being carried by someone and I heard Anastacia’s voice.

My head is killing me. I tried to open my eyes and felt relieved that I was in my own room.

Anastacia and I are living together in a penthouse somewhere in the middle of the city. We’ve been living here since we both started our own career. And I'm gonna live here alone soon.

I put one of my hands on my forehead and just stared blankly on the ceiling.

“Penelope, sweetie you’re awake! Here’s your coffee. Why did you get wasted? You take my advice so seriously though wala ka namang inuwing lalake.” Anastacia cheerfully said to me while handing me the coffee.

I slowly get up on my bed and get the coffee from her hand and take a sip.

“I don’t remember much what happened last night though. Paano mo ako natagpuan?”

I curiously asked her.

“Actually, Mike called me ahead of time when he noticed you were drinking a lot. So, after our dinner date, Dylan and I went to the bar to pick you up. You’re so drunk and you can’t even stand on your own so Dylan—” She giggled like a child when she mentioned his name then continued her story.

“Like a gentleman he is, offered to carry you home.”

“Nakakahiya naman sa fiancé mo. I’ll ---” She giggled again while squealing at may kasama pang hampas sa braso. Muntik ng matapon yung kape sa kama ko.

“Hey! Kalma okay?” Awat ko sa kanya.

“I’m sorry I just can’t believe I’m engaged!” She said while smiling like so in love with a dreamy eye. She’s even holding her hands together while looking out of nowhere.

“Yes, I also can’t believe it. I’m not against it, okay? Don’t get me wrong but you guys, just started dating 6 months ago. To think na si Dylan pa lang yung tumagal ng ganito na naka relasyon mo.” I said seriously.

“Exactly!” She responded to me.

What? Did she understand what I just said?

“What do you mean exactly?” I asked her. I’m still confused.

“Penelope, Darling. Love can’t be defined through how long you’ve been together. You know, mararamdaman mo yun kapag siya na talaga no matter how long or how short of time you’ve been dating.” She explained.

“You barely know the guy. Yes, he’s popular, he’s life is always on the news but what about those things that he doesn’t share in the public? Those things that you should know and should consider before marrying him.” Ani ko.

“Girl, we have a lifetime to share and to know those things. And besides, I already met his father, his step-mom, his step younger sister and we liked each other so I think everything will be fine and mom is also fine with it. Dylan already asked her permission before he asked me.” She assured me.

Why do I have this feeling that something is missing with the family of Dylan that Anastacia mentioned? I remember that there was scandal news about their family a few years ago. It was about the death of his real mother, I think? I can’t recall the details but as far as I remember her mother killed herself because their father was having an affair? The news got down easily before it was spread all over the world. That’s how rich people work. They’ll do anything to cover up bad impressions to maintain their so-called perfect life. That’s why as much as possible I avoid these kinds of topics to write about. Politics and businessmen, they’re hard to deal with to be honest.

“Even though. Anastacia listen to me, how about I check his background life, the one behind the public?” I suggested.

“No!” She immediately declined my offer.

“Hear me out, girl. I’ll keep this secret between us, whatever I will find out about him will only be your ears to hear. Just give me at least two weeks to check on him.” I explained.

“Isn’t that cheating? It’s like I don’t trust him if I do something like that diba?” She said still not convinced with my idea.

“It’s not cheating. I just want you to marry someone who’s clean inside and out. At saka knowing their family, marahil siguro napa imbestigahan ka din na nila.” Pangungumbinsi ko pa din sa kaibigan ko.

Natahimik siya ng ilang sandali, wari’y nag iisip.

“Do you really think that they already investigated me without my knowledge and--- Dylan never mentioned something like that to me.” She doubted.

“Babe, normal sa mga business family ang ganito. You know they want to secure their fortune so they will do anything to make sure that anyone who wants to be part of their family will also have a contribution.” Mahabang paliwanag ko.

“Let me think about it, okay?” She spoke.

“Okay.” I agreed.

“Anyways, get up and get ready. Dylan is waiting for us downstairs so we can eat lunch together.” She announced.

“What the fuck?! Your fiancé is here and you didn't even bother to tell me that first while we’re discussing your marriage?!” I exclaimed.

She just laughed at me.

“Chill sis. Hindi naman ‘marites’ si Dylan so for sure he will never know about any of this.”

She assured me.

“Get up and get ready, we’ll wait for you downstairs.” She said once again and then walked towards my door and left.

I don’t know why I also suggested that idea but there’s something that my instinct tells me, Dylan is hiding something from Anastacia.

So here we are in a restaurant just near our house. The three of us. Kung siguro hindi ko napag-isipan mag-lagay kahit light makeup lang baka napagkamalang personal assistant ako ng dalawang ito. They really look good together, damn. Just like how Betina described Dylan, he’s really living up those words. Handsome, hot and rich. He’s quite taller to most common people, maybe because of his ethnicity. I know that they’re family originated in Australia but they grew up in Japan since their father established their kingdom there. He has a dark brown hair color matching with his gingered eye color. I can feel that he also had a good physique based on how his suit embraced his body. He looks so strict but he is actually a soft-spoken man while on the other hand, Anastacia is a model. She’s so tall, sexy and quite classy. She has a bob cut hairstyle that looks perfectly on her heart shaped face. Her eyes are big with those natural long eyelashes, a pointed nose and a mild pouty lip. Kahit ata bihisan mo siya ng garbage bag she can make it a beautiful piece of fashion.

I know I’m beautiful too and my standards are also match the same with Anastacia but sometimes pakiramdam ko lamang siya saken ng mga isang paligo. I still feel nervous whenever I’ve been interviewed but this girl is oozing with too much charisma. Ganun ba talaga kapag model, kahit saan ka pumunta people will noticed you no matter what are you doing. Kahit ata nagtitinga ang babaeng ito ang classy pa den tingnan.

“Dylan, I want to thank you again for last night. I don’t usually get wasted, it's just seasonal.”

I started a conversation while waiting for our orders.

“No worries. My younger sister is always wasted most of the time and I used to pick her up anywhere.” He responded.

He really speaks so soft kumbaga sa babae ang hinhin niya. I wonder if he’s like this in bed though? Bad Penelope! Fiance yan ng bestfriend mo! Maghunos dili ka. Or I just can ask Anastacia later. I’m just really curious. I absentmindedly look at Anastacia’s face while thinking of that thought. She stared back at me wondering. I just gave her a meaningful smile that only both of us can understand.

“So, love, I mentioned to Penelope that I already met your whole– family right? And they are happy with us.” Anastacia said while pointing out the word ‘whole’. She’s too obvious.

I was rolling my eyes in my mind.

“Yes. Actually, they’re asking when we are going to plan the details for our wedding.”

Dylan answered casually.

Anastacia just smiled so sweetly and looked at me.

“Okay. Penelope, can we ask for your help?” she said.

“Sure, for what?” sagot ko sa kanya.

“I remember before you wrote some articles about weddings, right? Reception Venues, Food and Cater, everything. Could you help us to choose the best of the best among those?” Request sakin ni Anastacia.

“No problem. I—” Suddenly my phone rings. It’s Betina. I told her to call me anytime if it's urgent.

“Wait a moment guys. I just need to take this call. If you’ll excuse me.”

“Take your time.” They answered in unison.

Talking about soulmates.

I stood up and went to the restroom to answer the call.

“Betina, what’s up?”

“Miss Peppa, have you already responded to the CEO’s email with you on Monday?”

He asked me.

“Fudge. I forgot to reply.” I just do facepalm.

“I knew it. I already responded to it. Good thing I checked it once again yesterday before I went home and ate some sausages.” And he laughed so maniacally.

“That’s good. Then why did you call me again?” nagtatakang tanong ko.

“Nothing much. Just wanted to tell you I ate a lot of sausages last night. Valentine’s Day is indeed pak na pak!” Again, he laughed so evil.

“Not funny!” Singhal ko sa kanya.

“I'm sorry Miss Peppa. Actually, I called you to remind you the schedule of your meet up with Mr. Steel on the airport. Mr. CEO called me to remind you because he knows how forgetful you are sometimes and yeah also the sausages. Hahahaha!”

There’s only two people in this world that can treat me like this. Betina and Anastacia. They just treat me just like an average woman without judging me. That’s why I love them.

“Okay, okay. I’ll check it later. Saturday pa lang ngayon. Excited masyado si Boss.” Side comment ko.

“He’s worried about his money, that's why. I’ll stop by later in your house to celebrate Anastacia’s engagement! Ciao!” and then he hung up.

When I went back inside, it seemed the aura became a little awkward. What happened while I was gone? Our foods are already served too but Dylan and Anastacia haven’t started eating yet.

“It would be rude if we started eating without you.” Dylan said maybe he got a hint why I look bothered.

“Oh, thank you. Let’s eat then.” I turned my gaze to Anastacia which is unexplainably quiet.

After we ate, Dylan needed to go back to their company to check on some things. After he left, I was about to ask Anastacia when she suddenly spoke.

“Penelope, I agree with you. Can you please do a background check on Dylan's former affairs? While you’re gone, he told me that there is still someone he wants me to meet but he thinks he’s not ready yet so he didn’t elaborate much. He even said that he’s one of the very important people in his life that unfortunately cannot be revealed by anyone.” Mahabang paliwanag ni Anastacia.

I don’t know but I think Anastacia and I have the same idea on the mind right now for whoever that person is.